DisputeKit / States / Washington
Your consumer rights in Washington
What Washington and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
30 days. Under Revised Code of Washington § 59.18.280, a landlord must give a full and specific statement of the basis for keeping any of the deposit, with copies of estimates or invoices supporting damage charges, together with any refund due within 30 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If they miss that deadline, they lose the right to keep any part of the deposit. A court may also award up to two times the amount of the deposit if the landlord intentionally refused to give the statement, documentation, or refund due, and the prevailing party in a suit to recover the deposit is also entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Washington has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Washington's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Washington
- Washington consumer law
- Revised Code of Washington § 19.86.020 (Consumer Protection Act)
- Where to file a complaint
- Washington Attorney General, Consumer Complaint
- Small claims limit
- $10,000 for individuals ($5,000 for other plaintiffs) in the small claims department of district court
- Filing fee
- $35 plus any local dispute-resolution surcharge set by the county, plus the cost of serving the defendant